CORPUS CHRISTI - Throughout the entire season, Refugio coach Jason Herring bragged to all who would listen about his "little pup" at quarterback.

After his state championship game performance, sophomore Travis Quintanilla has chewed through the pup label and has earned a new moniker from his coach — "Beast."

Quintanilla was named the Caller-Times' All-South Texas Offensive Player of the Year after completing 190 of his 285 pass attempts for 3,944 yards and 53 touchdowns with just six interceptions. Oh yeah, and there was that little game at Cowboys Stadium, where under the state's brightest lights he led Refugio to a state championship, going 20 for 25 for 372 yards and three touchdowns and was named the game's offensive MVP. That plaque will go nicely next to his Class 2A Offensive Player of the Year award from the Associated Press.

"Before the season I never thought I'd be in this position," Quintanilla said. "To be a sophomore and win the state championship, be named all-state and all this. I never could have imagined all of this. It was a good season for a little pup as coach Herring calls me."

Quintanilla won't hear that tag again.

Instead of being looked upon with a wary eye, the young quarterback now is viewed as a key part of a team that has a shot at repeating as state champs. Don't laugh. The first Coastal Bend team since 1982 to bring home a state championship returns seven starters on offense and six starters on defense. Even just weeks from tasting that elusive championship, a second helping already is being talked about.

"We busted our tail ends all offseason to get this done, and now we want to do it again," Quintanilla said. "We know what it takes, and how it feels when you reach your goal. It's a feeling we want again, and it's something we've already talked about achieving."